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Gentle Extractions with Your Fort Worth Dentist

Removing to Restore

It may seem counterintuitive to think about tooth removal as a restorative measure. However, several circumstances might necessitate an extraction to help maintain or restore a healthy balance to the mouth:

Severe decay has destroyed enough of the tooth’s structure that other restorative techniques, such as a filling or crown, can no longer help.

Advanced gum disease has destroyed the connective tissue holding a tooth in place.

Your tooth has a severe crack that cannot be repaired using a dental crown.

You have an infected tooth and a weakened immune system that may not be able to adequately fight the infection.

You need a tooth removed to make room for the movement of your remaining teeth during orthodontic therapy.

What to Expect During an Extraction

If you suffer from dental anxiety or fear, or if the thought of having a tooth extracted makes you feel extremely nervous, talk to Dr. Greer about gentle sedation options, such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation, to help you relax during your procedure. Once he has completely numbed the extraction site, Dr. Greer will use a series of instruments to loosen the tooth from its socket. Once loosened, he may use forceps to complete the extraction. In some cases, the tooth may need to be sectioned to aid in removal. After the procedure, you will need to follow Dr. Greer’s post-op instructions to the letter to ensure ideal healing.

Medical Concerns and Tooth Extractions

Patients with serious heart conditions, diabetes, or who take bisphosphonate medication for osteoporosis or for cancer treatment have a heightened risk for developing infections. In these cases, Dr. Greer will sometimes want to refer you to a trusted extraction specialist. We want our patients to receive the specialized care they need, even if we have to refer them outside the office. Your optimal oral health is our priority.